CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (February 24) –Iranian Wrestling Federation president Rasoul KHADEM confirmed Monday that women in his country will begin to train and compete in female belt wrestling.

The belt wrestling program will be the first offered to women in Iran.

Khadem noted that the Mrs. Badrolmolouk KAHRANGI would be named as head of Iran Women Belt Wrestling department, which would fall under supervision of the traditional wrestling committee.

"We are excited to work with the Iranian federation in their efforts to provide wrestling opportunities for the women of their country," said United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic. "We applaud their progress and eagerly support this recent development."

Iran has been making several steps to improving their acceptance of women in the sport of wrestling. Last week Iran hosted the 2015 Greco-Roman World Cup in Iran and accepted for the first time a female representative of the international federation, United World Wrestling. Mrs. Rodica YAKSI (TUR) attended both days of the event and was joined by Mrs. Kahrangi and several other female dignitaries from Iran.

Last year’s Greco-Roman World Cup was also the site of progress for female wrestling in Iran as USA Wrestling team leader Kiki Kelley became the first woman to walk the mats at the Hafte-Tir Wrestling Hall in Tehran.

There are no dates set for the first competition among the female belt wrestlers, though tournaments are expected later in 2015.